Wednesday 20 May 2009

LABOR’S FAILED HOSPITAL FOOD SYSTEM: PATIENTS FORGOTTEN IN DRIVE FOR SAVINGS

“I was astonished to find that 1 in 4 older patients become malnourished during their stay in hospital.” Commissioner Peter Garling SC, page 1019

“Expand buy-in of pre-prepared food options and manage food services centrally. Projected savings: $16.5 million.” Nathan Rees Mini-Budget, page A - 6

The Rees Labor Government’s plans to further centralise hospital food services will result in more patients suffering malnutrition, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

“Commissioner Garling made clear that Labor’s current food services are failing patients to the point where they become malnourished,” Mrs Skinner said.

“The Rees Labor Government has the wrong priorities when it comes to hospital food: saving money over improving patient outcomes,” she said.

“After 14 years in Government, Labor in NSW can’t even do something as simple as serve meals to hospital patients without stuffing it up.

“Health Minister John Della Bosca is too inexperienced to realise that saving money on food results in longer hospital stays for patients.

“John Della Bosca is too incompetent and out of touch to listen to dieticians and clinicians who say fresh, healthy food will cut the time patients spend in hospital and speed up their recovery.

“Dieticians and other clinical staff gave evidence to the Garling Inquiry that patients often can’t open the plastic wrap, they starve because of the way food is presented and it’s not nutritious.

“Clinicians and dieticians need to be engaged and empowered to improve meals for patients.

“The NSW Liberal/Nationals have positive practical plans to improve hospital services.

“Our Health Districts will enable hospitals to more effectively deliver nutritious food to patients so they can recover more quickly,” Mrs Skinner said.